Warriors roll to state

Sterling bowling second at UT sectional

The Sterling Golden Warriors girls bowling team found the consistency it's been looking for all season at just the right time Saturday at the United Township Sectional at Highland Park Bowl.

The Warriors finished second with a pin total of 5,542 to advance to next weekend's state tournament at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford. Moline won the meet with a total of 6,119.

The Warriors trailed United Township after three games. The turning point was the fifth game, where Sterling bowled a 979 and the Panthers struggled with a 798.

"These girls did what we needed them to do," Sterling coach Dennis Black said. "After the second game, they were consistent."

It is the third year in a row that Sterling has qualified for state, and the fourth time in 5 years.

Senior Destinee Howard led the way with a pin count of 1,226. She was followed by Amber Granzow (1,168), Brandy Behrens (1,142), Magan Tintori (1,065) and Samantha Lewis (941).

Duchesses sixth in Rockford: The Duchesses were unable to advance to the state meet, placing sixth with 5,318 pins at the Rockford Auburn Sectional.

Jefferson won the meet with 6,101 pins. Harlem was second at 6,076.

Dixon's Devan Gearhart still has a chance to make state. She had the high at-large total from the meet at 1,246. A total of six at-large bowlers from around state will be selected today.

Girls basketball

Sterling 60, Peoria Manual 56: The Warriors outscored Peoria Manual by six points in the second and third quarters Saturday in a nonconference win at Musgrove Fieldhouse.

Kiarra Harris led Sterling (17-12) with 17 points and eight rebounds, and she also had three assists and three steals. Stephanie Kester had 14 points, McKenna Pearson scored nine, and Gabby Sandoval chipped in six points, four assists and four steals.

Mercedes Davis led Manual with 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Oregon 55, Mendota 33: The homestanding Hawks led 35-16 by halftime and cruised to a victory that officially wrapped up second place in the Big Northern West.